legislation Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Gatenby Criminal Law

25 Mar

New Traffic Laws and Increased Penalties for Cycle Offences.

New Traffic Laws Introduce Cycling Reforms. Queensland has new traffic laws following the introductions of the Transport Legislation and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014. These new traffic laws are primarily aimed at addressing the road safety of cyclists by introducing a new minimum distance of up to 1.5 metres between any vehicle and a cyclist. The offence is set to carry a maximum penalty of 40 penalty units and the loss of three (3) demerit points. The new traffic laws follow the Parliamentary Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee report “A new direction for cycling in Queensland”. The …

Continue reading “New Traffic Laws and Increased Penalties for Cycle Offences.”

Read full article

23 Mar

Life imprisonment for so called "Coward Punches"

The Government today outlined its new coward punch laws and other increased penalties under its draft ‘Safe Night Out Strategy. In what seems to be a theme of the current government’s legislative platform, existing charges are to be replicated with newly created offences and penalties increased. The government has adopted the big stick approach by increasing the maximum penalty for drunken behaviour in an effort to deter outrageous drunken violence. The problem with this approach is that young, drunken, predominately men, are unlikely to consider the outcome of their actions whilst drunk and accordingly, unlikely to think about the massive penalties the …

Continue reading “Life imprisonment for so called "Coward Punches"”

Read full article

16 Mar

Drink Driving – Go Straight to Jail, Do Not Pass Go.

Gold Coast Drink Driving Lawyers Most Queensland motorists understand that if they are caught drinking and driving, they will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a Queensland driver’s licence for a period of time. By and large our job as experienced Gold Coast Drink Driving Lawyers is to minimise the period of disqualification or to secure a restricted work licence or special hardship order. When people attend upon us for traffic law advice they are often shocked to learn that in prescribed circumstances they must receive a mandatory prison sentence. The legislation provides that if you are convicted of driving …

Continue reading “Drink Driving – Go Straight to Jail, Do Not Pass Go.”

Read full article

16 Mar

Corrupt Betting Offences to carry 10 year maximum

Sports betting and corruption New laws targeting sports betting and corruption are set to be introduced into Queensland Parliament. The laws are expected to mirror those of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, in legislating specific offences relating to the integrity of sporting contests. Maximum Penalties for Corrupt Sports Betting The government has announced that it is set to introduce five new offences. The new laws and the proposed maximum penalties are: Engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome (10 years imprisonment) Facilitating conduct that corrupts a betting outcome (10 years imprisonment) …

Continue reading “Corrupt Betting Offences to carry 10 year maximum”

Read full article

06 Mar

Unexplained assets to be seized in Commonwealth crackdown

Proceeds of Crime Commonwealth Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, has introduced amendments in Parliament today that will tighten laws used to pursue proceeds of crime. The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Unexplained Wealth and Other Measures) Bill 2014 adopts recommendations for reform by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement. Proceeds of Crime Legislation. Unexplained wealth laws were introduced in 2010 as part of a suite of reforms to more effectively prevent and investigate organised crime activity, and target the proceeds of organised crime groups. The laws are located in the Proceeds Of Crime Act, which provides a comprehensive scheme to trace, …

Continue reading “Unexplained assets to be seized in Commonwealth crackdown”

Read full article

10 Feb

Party Hosts face 3 years imprisonment for "out of control" parties

Out of Control Party Laws Organisers of out-of-control parties could face hefty fines or jail time under new out of control party laws to go before State Parliament this week. Under the out of control party laws, a person who organises a party that becomes an out-of-control event, their parents or gate crashers face a maximum penalty of 12 months jail or $12,100. If police face aggravated and violent circumstances when shutting down wild parties, the party organisers may face fines up to $18,150 and three years in prison. The out of control party laws provide a defence for a …

Continue reading “Party Hosts face 3 years imprisonment for "out of control" parties”

Read full article

21 Jan

Proposed toughening for Juvenile Justice.

Juvenile Justice Laws The Queensland Government is proposing a raft of changes to the Juvenile Justice Act when Parliament resumes on 11 February this year. Proposed Juvenile Justice Changes These changes include: Removing detention as a sentence of last resort. Making breach of bail an offence if a young person commits a crime while on bail. Naming and shaming of repeat offenders. Making all juvenile criminal histories available in adult courts to give a magistrate or judge a complete understanding of a defendant’s history. Transferring juvenile offenders to adult correctional centres when they reach 17 years of age if they …

Continue reading “Proposed toughening for Juvenile Justice.”

Read full article

22 Dec

Proposed Increased Penalties For Mobile Phone Offences

Qld Mobile phone laws The State Government is considering new laws for mobile phone offences while driving. Motorists currently face fines of $330 and the loss of three demerit points if caught using a mobile phone while driving. Motorists need to be aware that even if stationary at traffic lights the law still deems you to be in charge of the vehicle and you can be liable. You are considered to be using the phone even if you are using a function other than making a call. Texting, checking Facebook or surfing the web would all be offences. Qld Road …

Continue reading “Proposed Increased Penalties For Mobile Phone Offences”

Read full article

01 Nov

NEW PENALTIES FOR HOONING.

New Penalties for driving offences New anti-hooning and road safety legislation came into effect today. The penalties for offending are far more significant that those previously imposed. Offences are broken into two categories, Type 1 and Type 2. The penalties are dependant on the type of offence and a Defendants Traffic and Criminal History. The new legislation can be categorised as follows: Type 1 offences: 90 day vehicle impoundment for first offence such as: dangerous operation; careless driving such as burn-outs or drifting; racing, speed trials; and evade police. Towing and storage of impounded vehicle is at the driver’s expense. …

Continue reading “NEW PENALTIES FOR HOONING.”

Read full article

31 Oct

17 PROHIBITED ITEMS DURING THE G20

G20 Summit Brisbane Laws The G20 Safety and Security Act was passed on 30 October 2013. It legislates to provide for the safety and security of persons attending the Group of Twenty leaders’ summit in Brisbane in 2014 and other related meetings and events in Queensland in 2014. The G20 Summit Brisbane Laws prohibit a person from bringing proscribed items into the designated area. While some of the items are common sense, others such as insects, surfboard and kites are more peculiar. The obvious A category A, B, C, D, E, H, M or R weapon, or a restricted item An antique firearm, a …

Continue reading “17 PROHIBITED ITEMS DURING THE G20”

Read full article